Hyperpersonal CMC

   Although CMC correspondents are physically separated, interpersonal relationships do develop through the Internet. In some instances, levels of affection and emotion that develop through CMC relationships can equal or surpass face-to-face relationships. Walther (1996) calls this phenomenon hyperpersonal communication. Hyperpersonal CMC occurs when CMC "is more socially desirable than we tend to experience in parallel FtF [Face-to-Face] interaction".

   Walther (1996) suggests that four different, but related, elements influence hyperpersonal CMC. These include the receiver, the sender, asynchronous channels of communication, and feedback. Sometimes, CMC message receivers will inflate their perceptions or mental models about online partners. The lack of shared face-to-face social cues often makes CMC recipients exaggerate subtle social and personality cues exchanged through messages. As a result, receivers of CMC messages will create stereotypical and idealized impressions of others. These idealized interpretations of others contribute to hyperpersonal communication.

   Additionally, senders of CMC messages can engage in selective self-presentation. With the elimination of physical appearance and vocal attributes, CMC enables computer users to reflect, edit, and select the information and cues transmitted to receivers. As a result, CMC communicators can carefully craft how they present themselves. Selective self-presentation works better in asynchronous CMC because one has time to prepare and reflect before sending a message. In contrast, synchronous CMC requires an immediate reply from participants, making it more difficult to edit and refine messages.

   When communication does not require people to participate at the same time (asynchronous), individuals can correspond at time internals that are convenient. For example, e-mail eliminates the need for telephone tag and corresponding with a person at a particular time. Communicators can concentrate on the social and task dimensions of communication because time spent on one does not take time away from the other. Consequently, some researchers have suggested that the asynchronous nature of CMC makes it a better method of communication than face-to-face interaction because message construction is more intentional.

   Feedback is an important element in CMC, and the lack of social cues can intensify its significance in the communication exchange. Without feedback, CMC ends because senders and receivers need to have behavioral confirmation in the communication process. Moreover, media with restricted communication channels can idealize a receiver's interpretation of a message. CMC can produce an intensified feedback loop because selectively sent and selectively perceived messages are often understood as positive feedback. According to Walther (1996):

   Off-line, we respond to others based largely on our expectations despite what their actual behavior may present. At the same time, when disconfirming social data are less available and what does occur is selectively sent and selectively perceived, the reciprocal process of behavioral confirmation may be more likely.

   Lack of social cues combined with the interactive exchange of messages can lead to positive impression formation. Feedback, which occurs through interactive message exchange, is a central characteristic of hyperpersonal CMC.